On 21 December 2007, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia became part of the Schengen area. On Sunday 30 March 2008 at 0:00, the enlargement process will be completed by lifting air border controls between these countries and with the 15 states that were already part of the Schengen system.

After the lifting of land and sea border controls, which took place on 21 December 2007, also border controls at airports will be lifted on Sunday 30 March 2008 among Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia and between these countries and the former Schengen members.

People will now be allowed to fly from one airport to the other within the enlarged Schengen area without any further formality. This will have a positive effect, reducing queues and easing procedures for EU citizens and others when flying within the Schengen area. Obviously identity checks by airline companies will be maintained at the check-in and when boarding. The standard security controls applied to every flight, regardless of destination, will be maintained.

The lifting of the air border controls within the extended Schengen area follows the decision taken in November 2007 when Justice and Home Affairs Ministers concluded that the Schengen acquis criteria had been met by all candidate countries.